- a variation of -y.
-
IE
-
-ie
-ieThe noun-forming suffix -ie, originally the Scottish spelling of -y, first appears about 1400 in pet names and has spread into general usage. It is used to form words that are usually informal (birdie, doggie ), and to form endearing or familiar names (Millie, Susie ) or familiar diminutives (sweetie ).
-
i.e.
i.e.abbreviationthat is; that is to say; in other words.
-
I.E.
I.E.abbreviationIndo-European.
-
ie
ieabbreviationIreland
IE
1 Americanabbreviation
abbreviation
abbreviation
-
Indo-European.
-
Industrial Engineer.
abbreviation
abbreviation
abbreviation
suffix
Usage
What’s the difference between i.e. and e.g.? The abbreviation i.e. essentially means that is or in other words—you say it before rephrasing what you’ve just said, often to put it in simpler terms. The abbreviation e.g. essentially means for example—you say it before providing an example of the thing you’ve just mentioned. Both are abbreviations of Latin phrases: i.e. stands for the Latin id est (which literally means “that is”); e.g. stands for exemplī grātiā (which literally means “for the sake of example”). Both are pronounced by saying the two individual letters in the term. Both are commonly used in writing, but i.e. is much more commonly used in speech—most people don’t often say e.g. when speaking (probably because the phrase for example is so common and well understood). Sometimes, people use them in overlapping ways, but this is technically incorrect, since i.e. is meant to indicate a rephrasing, while e.g. is meant to signal that a specific example is going to be given. Of course, both of these things involve an attempt to make what has just been said a little clearer (by clarifying or specifying), so it can be hard to remember when each one is appropriate. To help remember when to use each one, think of the i in i.e. as standing for in other words. Think of the e in e.g. as standing for example (which it pretty much does). Here’s an example of i.e. and e.g. used correctly in the same sentence. Example: The second sewing lesson (i.e., the one starting next week) will cover several different skills (e.g., sewing on a button and sewing a seam). Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between i.e. and e.g.
Etymology
Origin of i.e.
From Latin id est
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The industrial nature of her materials often brings Rosales in contact with men, and the guy who ran the shop in the IE was hard to work with.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Instead, he chose Madrid’s IE University, which now has as many American students as Spaniards.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026
"A sector so closely tied to international mobility is particularly vulnerable to health, geopolitical, or climate crises," Rafael Pampillon, a professor of economics at IE Business School in Madrid, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 2026
Workplaces are increasingly adopting A.I.-powered management software, which could indirectly influence pay by allocating projects and shifts based on employee data, Antonio Aloisi, an associate professor at IE University Law School in Spain, told me.
From Slate ● Oct. 13, 2024
Continued on same course p.s.c. at a speed of 15 knots per hour until noon when observed meridian altitude 44" 30' 50" S. Same IE, HE, CC.
From Lectures in Navigation by Ernest Gallaudet Draper
The item was so off the radar, Ms. Swanson Beard says, “we had a hard time deciding if we were going to spell it -ie or -ey.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2015
Vocative case, 17; 19, 1; —— of Greek proper names in -ās, 47, 4; —— of adjs. in -ius, 63, 1; 171; —— in -ī for -ie, 25, 1; —— position of, 350, 3.
From New Latin Grammar by Charles E. (Charles Edwin) Bennett
Sing. of such Adjectives ends in -ie, not in ī.
From New Latin Grammar by Charles E. (Charles Edwin) Bennett
In the word doggie for dog, lassie for lass, the addition of the -ie makes the word not so much a diminutive as a term of tenderness or endearment.
From A Handbook of the English Language by R. G. (Robert Gordon) Latham
Diminutives are also formed, in colloquial and familiar language, by adding -y or -ie to the names, as Charley, Mousie, &c.
From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various
"I think you’ll see it used when it has to be used, i.e. when you’re communicating with the administration," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
What we have here might be an example of the Tinkerbell effect, named for the “Peter Pan” character who could be resurrected from death by audience participation, i.e. belief in fairies.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
I believe the show’s weak character development leads to plot confusion — i.e. making things hard to follow for those of us who haven’t read “Fire & Blood.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
It’s a great way to invest automatically, as the money comes out of your paycheck before it even hits your checking account — i.e. it is forced retirement savings.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026
Most of GGS concerned differences between continents: i.e., the question of why some Eurasians rather than Aboriginal Australians, sub-Saharan Africans, or Native Americans were the ones to expand over the world within the past millennium.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
![]()
Coming from the I.E., people weren’t really into fashion that way, or self-expression in general.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2023
But the first time someone attaches "gate" to the end of a line I.E. "mayor-gate", I'm finished following the story.
From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2016
I.E., from $1,000,000,000 in basically recurring revenue — to $0.
From Forbes ● Apr. 25, 2013
Since then, Microsoft, spurred by its rivals' advances, has released the very good I.E.
From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2010
The average weight of gold got by each miner while we were at the 'wet diggin's,' I.E. where water had to be used, was nearly half an ounce or seven dollars' worth a day.
From Tracks of a Rolling Stone by Henry J. (Henry John) Coke
Iran wants the war to stop as quickly as possible but not at any price - ie not if it means caving in to all Washington's demands.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026
Inevitably, some will make the connection between the fact that the car was too low, and the return of what McLaren called "unexpected" porpoising - ie, was one a consequence of the other?
From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2025
The new rear suspension is aimed at increasing anti-lift - ie, keeping the aerodynamic platform more stable, to keep rear downforce more consistent, and rear grip higher.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2025
"I suspect it is pretty bad- ie criminally damning- for him to risk this result which is financially ruinous and predicated on his discovery violations," he tweeted.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2023
And ie told me that the lady in charge of the detention home, a Mrs. Swerlin, and her husband were, very good people.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
![]()
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.